Knight wins OU starting QB job

If anybody would have predicted during the spring that former Reagan standout quarterback Trevor Knight would claim Oklahoma’s starting quarterback job, most observers would have been surprised.

But Knight claimed the starting job, beating out presumed leader Blake Bell for the Sooners’ Aug. 31 opener against Louisiana-Monroe.

Bell was presumed to have the edge in the Sooners’ battle for the starting job because of two years’ experience in offensive coordinator Josh Heupel’s system and his short-yardage running abilities that produced 24 rushing touchdowns in that span.

OU coaches, instead, have seen something in Knight. In preseason scrimmage work, Knight has had more command of the Sooners’ offense and been sharper with his throws.

“Both Trevor and Blake [Bell] have competed hard and both will be ready to play against Louisiana-Monroe,” Stoops said in a prepared statement. “Like every other position on our team, I expect them both to continue competing for the starting job.”

Kendal Thompson also was expected to challenge for the starting job, but fractured his foot in the Sooners’ first preseason scrimmage.

Bell still could have a role in the Sooners’ offense, but it looks like Stoops isn’t afraid to start the season with a redshirt freshman quarterback running his offense.